Aquino pushes SLEX toll hike

THE government's priority is not the implementation of 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on tollways but the 250 percent increase in South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), said President Benigno Aquino III Monday.

"Our first priority is the SLEX, the impending 250 percent increase," Aquino said in an ambush interview in Malacanang.

Aquino added that he deferred the imposition of VAT on toll fees amid discussions opposing such heavy load to motorist.

"Actually I have put it on hold since last week. It is subject to a lot of discussions," he noted.

"The President is authorized to suspend the imposition of certain taxes. There is a study ongoing in the implications lalo na as far as SLEX is concern. The increase in toll rates, the increase in transportation and siyempre sa VAT is another cost that might defer economic activity," Aquino said.

VAT on toll was supposed to be imposed Monday, after it has been long postponed since the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

However, the Supreme Court on Friday issued temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the imposition.

The High Court also issued separate TRO on the implementation of 250-percent increase in toll rates at the SLEx.

Aquino is set to meet with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares to discuss how to push through with the implementation of 250 percent increase.

US trip

Aquino disclosed that Purisima just came from the US to set groundwork for his forthcoming trip to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly next month. This will be the first foreign trip of Aquino since he assumed office.

The UN Secretary-General has called on world leaders to attend the summit in New York on September 20-22 to speed up progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

"I think the trip is something four days or so. I don't know yet what is included in the schedule but UN I think would be the primary tool. But then the Millennium Challenge also the signing of the compact," he said.

The Chief Executive noted that it might be impossible to accomplish all of his agenda during his trip but he ensures to attract investors to venture to the country.

"So you know that job generation is the best priority and America is one of our biggest trading partners we need to go there and try to make the country even more attractive to all these investors in the hopes to generate all this jobs."

Aquino added that he will be meeting with Filipino-Americans who probably want to invest in the country.

"Portion of the road show will be IT. There is a group called Philippine Development Foundation which aims to help us grow our IT based, engineers, scientists," he pointed out.

"I am hoping hindi tayo maka-jet lag ng husto para makausap as many as possible," he quipped.

Aside from the UN summit, the President will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Hanoi, Vietnam slated in October.

"Our priority also is the ASEAN where we have all heads of states, of European Union present. China and Japan, being very large trading partners, are also requesting trips to the respective countries," he added.

Asked if he will hold bilateral talks with US President Barack Obama in his US trip, he responded: "That has yet to be finalized".

President Aquino highlighted during the campaign that he will minimize foreign trips and will not be a jet-setter like his predecessor former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)

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